New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-01
FISHERIES IN TWO OCEANS.

| The utterances Of the State Department
Respecting tho Alaska fishing grounds are as
ambiguous as q Delphic oracle. Several months
ago it was currently reported that the Secretary
had Informed tho American Minister in London
that tho British sealing vessels seized last
summer in Behring Sea had been released.
and that damages would be paid for their de-
tenton. He Immediately denied having writ.
ten anydispatch Of this nature but the vessels
were released, and subsequently the report that
compensation would be made was semi. official.
~ confirmed. The Attorney General was
credited in Washington dispatches with assert
ing In an official opinion that tho British seal
ers were outside the three mile line, and were
therefore well within their rights according
to the construction the United States Govern.
ment had always insisted upon.' These CONTRA
dictory reports have caused much confusion
on both sides Of the Northern frontier. The
Canadian officials have been anxious to ascer-
tain whether British sealers on the Pacific
would be liable to seizure this year, but have
not received any response to their communlca-
tons transmitted through the English Foreign
Office. The State Department., in explaining
the delay in answering plain question, now
sends out an oracular statement that admits OF
two opposite interpretations. 1t processes to
be anxious to preserve the exclusive rights of
the United States Government in Behring Sea-
and at the same time assumes that there cannot
be two constructions of fisheries law and that
any decision reached by the Department must
apply equally to Atlantic and Pacific waters
That is equivalent to saying in one breath
that the three-mile rule shall not and that it
shall DO enforced in Alaskan waters.
The State Department we apprehend Is
making serious mistake in coupling two
questions which should be kept entirely dis
tinct. Each tub should be allowed to stand
On its own bottom. The American Govern
ment has historical rights in the Canadian
fisheries Which were recognized in the Treaty
Of Peace and subsequently restricted by the
Treaty of 1918. The three mile line is de-
fined by treaty law. and while the method Of
it has been constantly disputed.
he principle is accepted by both Governments.
The Russian Government. on the other hand.
had historical rights in Bchring Sea which the |
United States acquired by purchase. Those
lights are defined by treaty law and the three |
nile rule is excluded. On the Atlantic sea-
board deepsea fishing three miles from shore
$ permitted. while in Behring Sea it is pro-
libited. Each arrangement is sanctioned by
'eaty law, which admits Of double construc.
ion. In each case the Government has only
o ground its action upon the stpulations OF
he convention regulating jurisdiction over the
Vaters frequented by fishermen and sealers.
is not necessary that any position assumed
" the State Department in this matter should
pply equally to Atlantic and Pacific waters
1t will DO National misfortune il Secretary
'ayard. for the sake of justifying his argu
1ent respecting the deep-sea fisheries on the
Itlantio. surrenders the exclusive rights to
he landlocked Behrine Sea. which wcrc pur-
hased from Russia. The Gear retains control
vcr one-half of Behnng Sea- and will resist
ny attempt on tho part Of other nations to
zach upon his preserves. The other half of
hose waters belongs to the United States
nd the prosperity Of the seal fisheries.
roperty Of enormous value is dependent upon
no maintenance Of rigid supervision over the
Ind-locked sea. As the British Provinces Dor.
ering on the North Pacific increase in popula.
on. they cast covetous eyes upon the North.
m fishing ground. Their own fisheries are
limited extent They cannot get seal on
,eir coast and they have no cod fisheries ,
orthy Of the name. In Behring Sea they
ave the chance of interruptng and running ,
10 richest seal-fsheres in the world and at a,
ne same time of finding moderately good cod ,
shing. Their claims to full maritime rights d,
that quarter should not DO recognized at
,ashinoton